The current temporal research agenda in time and organizations emphasizes the importance of continuity and change. This research sought to examine the coexistence of continuity and change in time perspective using the model proposed by (Zimbardo and Boyd, 1999).
The research sought answers to the following four research questions:
1. Do time perspectives demonstrate differential continuity?
2. Do time perspectives demonstrate mean level continuity?
3. Do time perspectives demonstrate interindividual differences
in intraindividual change?
4. Do individuals demonstrate individual change in their time perspectives?
Survey data were collected from 128 youth workers across three measurement occasions using a twelve month prospective longitudinal panel design and measurement occasions were separated by a four month interval. Data were analysed using retest correlations, individual stability coefficients, latent growth modeling and the reliable change index. Time perspectives demonstrated rank order continuity and there was evidence of individual variation in stability. Although there was a decline in rank order continuity, it was not statistically significant. Time perspectives showed mean level continuity but did not demonstrate interindividual differences in intraindividual change. However, evidence of individual differences in change was indicated by the reliable change index across all time perspectives. The findings supported the co-existence of continuity and change in time perspectives. The research makes a methodological and theoretical contribution. Methodologically, the research contributes to a more thorough understanding of continuity and change in time perspective and provides different answers to the question, do time perspectives change? Theoretically, the research advocates an alternative perspective which questions current assumptions
